Across South Carolina

CHARLESTON - A lawyer representing the biracial daughter of the late Strom Thurmond says a challenge could be filed to claim part his estate.

When Mr. Thurmond, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate, died in 2003 at 100, his will left nothing to Essie Mae Washington Williams, his daughter from a relationship with a black maid who worked at his family's Edgefield home.

Her lawyer, Frank Wheaton, said a challenge could follow if documents emerge that show Mr. Thurmond intended to leave the 79-year-old Los Angeles woman with a portion of his estate.

Mr. Thurmond's three other surviving children are in a will that disposes of an estate valued at $1.48 million.

Mr. Thurmond, who became one of the nation's most visible segregationists, paid for Ms. Washington Williams' college education and made numerous loans and financial gifts that spanned several decades. But he never publicly acknowledged he was her father.

Third teen is arrested in death at rest stop

FLORENCE - Police have arrested a third teen in a death earlier this month in which a Florida man had a heart attack and died after a robbery attempt at an Interstate 95 rest area in Florence County.

Deputies said they arrested Jahmell Williams, 18, and charged him with murder, attempted armed robbery and other charges. Two other teens were arrested a week ago. Investigators are looking for a fourth suspect, Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone said.

Deputies say two men tried to rob 70-year-old James Booras, of Ocala, Fla., in the bathroom of the rest area shortly before midnight Jan. 14.

One of the men struck Mr. Booras so hard with his gun that it broke, authorities said.

Author, Tenenbaum will discuss removal

COLUMBIA - The author of a book removed from the state's suggested reading for high school students because of its coarse language has gotten the meeting he wanted with Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum.

The book Whale Talk has been on a list of titles that were permitted for discussions in sophomore English classes as part of an experimental curriculum. But after some parents from Georgetown County raised concerns about the book, Ms. Tenenbaum read it and decided it was inappropriate for students that age.